Why the Dalai Lama is a Socialist

Buddhism, Socialism and the Compassionate Society

Paper $19.95ISBN: 9781783606443
Published
March 2017
For sale in North and South America only

Cloth $95.00ISBN: 9781783606450
Published
April 2017
For sale in North and South America only

“I am a socialist,” declared the Dalai Lama to the surprise of many recently. Though Buddhists and socialists both might be perplexed at the suggestion that their approaches to life share fundamental principles, important figures in Buddhism have increasingly been framing contemporary social and economic problems in distinctly socialist terms. In this innovative and provocative work, Terry Gibbs argues that the shared values expressed in each tradition could provide useful signposts for creating a truly humane, compassionate, and free society.

Why the Dalai Lama Is a Socialist is the first book to accessibly link Buddhism to socialist thought and social justice. As interest in Buddhism, particularly in the West, continues to increase dramatically and as the Dalai Lama remains one of the most high-profile religious figures in the world, this book provides a timely comparison of the complementary ideals of the Buddhist and socialist traditions. Gibbs is hopeful about our potential to create a more just society through collective effort, and Why the Dalai Lama Is a Socialist is grounded in his fundamental belief that everyday human activity makes a difference.

Sulak Sivaraksa, founder of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists

“The Dalai Lama has long voiced a need for Buddhists to be involved in societal and political change as well as inner transformation, in line with Gibbs’s hypothesis linking Buddha Dhamma and Socialism. Gibbs’s work advocates moving towards a more compassionate world, and starts to explore a vision for a future without suffering.”

Vandana Shiva, activist and author of Earth Democracy

“This book could not have been published at a more appropriate time. Immersed as we are in an economy of greed, it offers a vital message of hope and compassionate action for justice and equality.”

For more information, or to order this book, please visit https://www.press.uchicago.edu